The winning entry in this year’s NAIDOC Ball Design competition is a perfect reflection of modern-day Australia.
That is the view of Insurance Commission of Western Australia Chief Investment Officer Steve McKenna, who attended the unveiling of Jarnda Councillor-Barns’ artwork.
“What I really like about it is it’s beautiful, but it also reflects our multicultural society,” Mr McKenna said. “You see the Socceroos playing, and look across the team, and a ball like this … the designs … it reflects what Australia’s all about.”
And one former Socceroo and was equally enthusiastic about the design.
Football West Program Development Lead and National Indigenous Boys U16s head coach David Williams said: “This is amazing … very inspirational. For the creativity of artists to be involved with sport goes a long way … the more initiatives we have with this kind of stuff, the better.”
Football West’s NAIDOC Ball Design competition is run in conjunction with the Insurance Commission as part of the Belt Up road safety campaign.
It is open to members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and celebrates indigenous art while calling on all motorists to wear a seatbelt when travelling on WA roads.
Ms Councillor-Barns, who lives in Ellenbrook, used the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags for her design.
“I really wanted to amplify the stories that are in the Football West community, whether you’re based metro or rural like I was, and how everyone in a team comes with their own stories,” she said.
As part of her winning prize, Ms Councillor-Barns wins a $1,000 New Balance voucher and 20 footballs carrying her design.
“Growing up in Broome, soccer was always part of our community. I would jump into social games whenever I could, and I loved how the sport brought everyone together,” she said.
“I’m also from Geraldton, and when the [regional women’s Indigenous] Jambinu team was created, I was so excited – I even had family who played for them and helped run the team. So while I wasn’t formally in a club, soccer has always been woven through my community and family connections.
“Soccer is a sport that brings people from all walks of life together, creating a larger family built on respect, teamwork and shared passion. The circular patterns throughout the design symbolise gatherings and the coming together of cultures, while the connecting pathways reflect the journeys, knowledge, and skills each player carries.
“The colours and patterns honour the stories of our First Nations players – their strength, vision, and the legacy they contribute both on and off the field. Together, they embody what it means to play as one, standing proud in culture while celebrating the multicultural spirit of the game.”
This is the seventh year of the Football West-Insurance Commission Belt Up campaign
Mr McKenna added: “Belt Up is one of the most important partnerships that we have and we’re really proud to partner with Football West.
“We’ve invested over $2million over the past seven years to get this message out. We really need to get it to the regions. To the young blokes who are more involved in accidents.
“Football today is becoming a lot about statistics, so let me give you some statistics. About 170 people die on the road each year in Western Australia. About 60% of those are male. Of that total, 17% aren’t wearing seatbelts when they die.
“It’s such a simple message. Put your seatbelt on. Belt up. Spread the message to your mates, spread the message to your family, and everybody on the roads will be safer.”
Football West will launch the 2027 NAIDOC Ball Design competition later this week.
